United States international Holden - Aberdeen-born, Houston-raised - was instrumental in helping Bolton climb out of the relegation zone at the expense of the other struggling Wanderers, as defender Zat Knight got his first goal for the club.

Coyle realised that the midfielder, dumped by Sunderland and rekindling his career Stateside, might cut it in England's top flight when he watched Houston Dynamo's 2009 play-off defeat to LA Galaxy. In the week Coyle returned to Bolton in January, he called the 24-year-old for a trial up the road at Burnley.

'Considering the top, top players on the pitch - men like Beckham and Landon Donovan - he was outstanding and the man of the match,' recalled Coyle. 'He's got that blond hair which catches the eye and is a great prospect.'

Holden nearly ended Bolton's goal drought when his dead-ball delivery evaded everyone before being clawed round an upright by fellow American Marcus Hahnemann. Johan Elmander fluffed three first-half chances, but at 550 minutes - in first-half stoppage time - Chung-Yong Lee picked out Knight and the defender scrambled the ball in, to great relief at the Reebok.

David Jones and Kevin Foley each hit a post after the break for Wolves, who teeter over the drop zone only on goal difference, with just five points in nine games.

'We can't afford to switch off like we did,' said Wolves coach Mick McCarthy.